Wondering How to Change a Video Format?

HandBrake is basically the opposite. Open it for the first time and it feels like a pilot’s cockpit – sliders, tabs, acronyms everywhere. I’ll be honest, it took me a little while to figure out what was what, but once I leaned on the presets it clicked. I converted a big HD file, and while it wasn’t the fastest, the result looked great and took up half the space. The real value here is the control: if you’re willing to mess with the settings, you can fine-tune your output in ways most video format changer options don’t even let you touch. It’s free, open-source, and not exactly “user-friendly,” but once you learn it, it’s hard to beat.

How to convert video files with HandBrake

1. Install HandBrake from the official site and open it.

2. Click Open Source and choose a single file or a folder (you can also drag & drop). On the right, pick a preset (I usually start with Fast 1080p30 or Fast 720p30 for quick, reasonable results).

4. Under Format, choose MP4 (most compatible) or MKV. Check Web Optimized if the result will be streamed from the web. Switch to the Video tab: set Video Codec to H.264 (x264) for compatibility. For quality, use Constant Quality (RF) – I test with RF 20–23 (20 = higher quality, bigger file; 23 = smaller file with acceptable quality). In Audio, choose the audio track and set codec to AAC, bitrate around 128 kb/s (or 192 kb/s if you want better audio).

5. If you need to crop, add subtitles, or adjust framerate, use the Dimensions, Subtitles, and Filters tabs. I usually leave Framerate at Same as source.

6. Set an output filename and folder at Save As (bottom). For multiple files: after adjusting settings for one file, click Add to Queue, then load the next file and repeat. When ready, click Start Queue. Verify the output by opening the file in a player and checking resolution and audio. If artifacts appear, reduce RF (lower number) or use a slower preset for better encoding.

Format Factory is kind of the everything bagel of converters. It doesn’t just do video, it happily chews through audio, images, PDFs, eBooks, you name it. The interface looks like something from the Windows 7 era, cluttered and boxy, but you get used to it fast. I tested a few different file types and it handled them fine, though not at record speed. Sometimes it feels like it’s trying to do too much at once, but the range is what makes it appealing. If you want one program that can deal with nearly any file you throw at it, this is a good one to keep around. Bonus: it’s free.

How to convert video files with Format Factory

1. Download and install Format Factory (Windows). Open the app.

2. In the left column pick the output Video format you want (e.g., MP4, AVI, MKV). Click the chosen format, then click Add File and pick the videos you want to convert. You can add multiple files for batch work.

3. Click Output Setting to pick resolution, encoder (if available), and quality/bitrate presets. I test with MP4 + H.264 at 720p for quick conversions.

4. Choose an output folder at Output Folder so you know where the results will land.

5. Optionally, use the Advanced or Option buttons to change more settings (frame rate, audio bitrate) – but the defaults are usually fine.

6. Click OK, then click Start on the main toolbar. Monitor progress in the queue panel at the bottom. When finished, open the output folder and check a file in your video player. If frame rate or aspect looks off, go back and try a different preset or explicit resolution.

FFmpeg is the most intimidating but also the most impressive tool I tried. There’s no friendly interface – you’re in a command line typing out instructions like some kind of hacker. At first, I was just copying commands off Google without knowing what they meant, but then it started to make sense. I was able to convert a film, trim clips, even strip audio tracks, all faster than any of the other apps here. It’s lean, powerful, and feels limitless once you get past the initial learning wall. Definitely not beginner-friendly, but if you’re willing to put in the effort, nothing else comes close.

How to convert video files with FFmpeg

1. Install FFmpeg (download the binary for your OS or use a package manager). Verify with ffmpeg -version.

2. Basic conversion to MP4 (H.264 + AAC), good balance of quality and compatibility:
ffmpeg -i input.mkv -c:v libx264 -preset medium -crf 23 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -movflags +faststart output.mp4
-crf controls quality (lower = better). I usually test 18–23; 23 is a good starting point.

3. Resize to 720p while preserving aspect ratio:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -preset medium -crf 23 -vf "scale=-2:720" -c:a aac -b:a 128k output_720p.mp4

4. Trim a section (re-encode for accuracy):
ffmpeg -ss 00:01:00 -to 00:02:30 -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -crf 23 -c:a aac -b:a 128k clip.mp4
(Use -ss before -i for faster but less accurate seeking; after -i for precise frames.)

5. Batch convert a folder (Bash):
for f in *.mkv; do
ffmpeg -i "$f" -c:v libx264 -preset medium -crf 23 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -movflags +faststart "${f%.*}.mp4"
done

6. If something looks wrong, inspect file info with: ffprobe input.mp4

VLC is the old reliable. Everyone knows it as a media player, but it does a lot more than that once you poke around. I’ve used it to change video format options, rip discs, even stream media, and it always feels dependable. The design hasn’t really changed in years – it’s plain, maybe even boring – but that’s part of why it works. The real magic is that it plays absolutely anything. I dug out some weird old files from a backup drive and VLC ran them like it was no big deal. Free, open-source, available on everything – VLC is just a must-have.

How to convert video files with VLC

1. Install VLC and open it.

2. Go to Media > Convert / Save (Windows) or File > Convert / Stream (macOS) and click Add to pick a file.

3. Click Convert / Save. For batch conversion, add multiple files; VLC will process them sequentially. In the “Profile” dropdown choose an existing profile (e.g., Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4)) or click the tool icon to create/edit a profile.

4. To edit/create a profile: set Encapsulation to MP4/MOV, under Video codec choose H-264, set bitrate or tick Keep original video track if you want pass-through; under Audio codec choose AAC at 128 kb/s. Save the profile.

5. Back in the Convert dialog, set the Destination file path and filename (include .mp4).

6. Click Start. VLC will transcode; during the process it will play the video in the main window (you can pause the preview). Verify the resulting file in your player and check playback and audio sync. If audio is missing, ensure your chosen profile includes audio and that codecs are supported.

Zamzar is the tool I use when I can’t be bothered to install anything. You upload a file, pick a format, and wait for the download link. With smaller files, it’s quick enough; with bigger ones, it feels slow. Still, it supports a ton of formats, and in my tests, everything I threw at it came back working. The free plan is fine if you’re dealing with everyday stuff, but larger files hit the limit fast. It’s basic, but when you just need a one-off conversion in the browser, it does the job.

How to convert video files with Zamzar

1. Open zamzar.com in your browser.

2. Click Choose Files and upload your video (or drag it into the upload box). You can also paste a URL if the video is online.

3. In the dropdown, select the format you want (e.g., MP4, AVI, MOV).

4. Click Convert Now. If it’s a large file, Zamzar may ask for an email so they can send the download link once it’s done. Wait for the video format change to finish. Smaller files take a couple of minutes; larger ones can feel slow.

5. Click Download to save the converted file.

FreeConvert feels like Zamzar, but smoother. The site loads fast, the interface is clear, and it shows a proper progress bar so you’re not stuck wondering if it’s broken. I ran a few different conversions – video, audio, PDF – and all of them worked without issue. The speed was decent for an online tool, though of course you’re at the mercy of your internet connection. Like the others, the free tier has file size limits, so it’s not great for really big jobs. But for everyday use, it’s quick, clean, and way less clunky than most free online converters.

How to convert video files with FreeConvert

1. Go to freeconvert.com.

2. Click Choose Files and upload your video, or drag it into the box. You can also import from Dropbox, Google Drive, or via URL.

3. Choose your desired output format from the dropdown (e.g., MP4, AVI, MKV).

4. (Optional but useful) Click the gear icon next to the format to adjust advanced settings like resolution, aspect ratio, codec, and compression. I tried reducing resolution here and it worked well.

5. Click Convert. Wait for the conversion to process. It shows a progress bar, so you can tell how far along it is. Click Download when it’s done.

CloudConvert feels like the polished, professional option among the online tools. The interface is minimal and smooth, and it supports way more file types than you’ll ever actually need. What impressed me most was the control – you can tweak resolution, bitrate, even codecs before hitting convert, which makes it feel closer to a desktop program than a simple web tool. It also integrates directly with cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox, which saved me a lot of uploading and downloading. The free plan is limited, but it’s fine if you’re not converting files every day. Out of all the browser-based tools, this one felt the most reliable and well thought out.

How to convert video files with CloudConvert

1. Head to cloudconvert.com.

2. On the homepage, click Select File and choose your video, or import directly from Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or even by URL.

3. Choose the output format from the Convert to… dropdown (e.g., MP4, MOV, AVI).

4. Click the wrench icon (options) if you want to fine-tune things. You can change codec, resolution, bitrate, even frame rate. In my tests, I lowered a 1080p file to 720p and adjusted the bitrate – worked without issues.

5. Click Convert. The site uploads your file, processes it, and then provides a download link.

6. Click Download to save the converted video. If you’re logged in, you can have it auto-save to your cloud storage.